To The Cathedral -Prequel

 

'But I want to enlist!'

 

The young girl was tiny though the Recruiting officer. He stroked his beard and asked

 

'Proof of age'

 

She scurried around in her bag for something, he had seen enough of these eager young people. Did they really think the Wars of Religion were for adventure.

 

He put his hand on her arm.

 

'You don't have any do you? Let's not waste any more time' His voice was soft and he wasn't going to make a scene.

 

Elena turned and left. She had seen many join up, and not many come back but she was she wanted out of her drifting lifestyle. She was sorely tempted to go back to the brothel when out of the corner of her eye she saw two people watching her.

 

They were both male and certainly older than her. They were obviously soldiers of some sort but she was unable to discern the uniforms. They had grey trousers tucked in to short white boots and had tattered blue jackets, they wore no hat ( very unusal) and both had different coloured greatcoats.

 

She walked on and they followed. Suddenly. One ran for her but she was quick enough to turn and draw her knife. She didn't need it out as she aimed a perfect kick between his legs which sent him whimpering to the ground, She aimed the knife at his friend who hadn't even had time to reach for any weapon.

 

He ignored his fellow attacker and smiled.

 

'I think you would well for us' he grinned and produced from a small cigarette case what was a visiting card. A visiting card? Surely if he was recruiting for one of the competing brothels to her aunt's he'd hardly approach her like this.. they would simply kidnap or drug her.

 

 

She took it from him without taking her eyes away and held it up.

 

 

SOLDIERS OF CELANDINE

PRIVATE SECURITY FOR ALL OCCASIONS

 

 

'Mercenaries' She said.

 

'Well we don't like to use that any-more..but yes.. My name is Admetos and this creature whom you felled is..'

 

The groaning figure got up, he was not smiling but said

 

'Faenus'

 

Elena was still not trusting.

 

'And what do want with me?'

 

'You want to join up, we need people.. and your reactions are excellent' Replied Admetos.

 

'You can think about it if you want' Faenus was getting his breath back and was, she felt, showing a grudging respect.

 

'We are back here tomorrow night at this time, but we will be on the steamer to Sailac in three weeks. You should be trained by then, but I think you will be suited, and very few men work for Celandine'

 

 

'I will be back tomorrow with my answer' Elena didn't feel the need to explain further and left. She could hear Admetos and Faenus talking as walked away, and she already knew what her answer would be.

 

*

 

The night was not busy at the brothel. 'Her girls' as she called them were generally a likeable lot, she had never joined the trade, her Aunt Talitha would have loved her too no doubt, but she had had one period of banishment so Talitha felt she was not to be trusted. In any case they all knew Elena wanted to get away, and most of them encouraged her to do it.

 

There was the familiar smell of perfume; some girls had the most expensive bought for them by clients, and sweat. No matter how hard she and the girls tried to clean it was always there.

 

One of them, Cynara, she had been close too, and felt that Elena was hers to look after.

 

She wore the usual leather corset, a beautiful item she had made especially for her, and a bright crinoline dress. Cynara always dressed the best.

 

'You've been to the recruiting office haven't you?'

 

Elena saw no pint in not telling the truth.

 

Good for you , get out of her and the old girl won't miss you I'm sure'

 

'they didn't accept me, no proof of age'

 

'Really? Didn't think they would be that picky.. they need all they can get'

 

Elena showed her the visiting card.

 

Cynara laughed, and laughed.

 

'Celandine a mercenary!.. what a career change'

 

Elena asked if she knew her.

 

'Oh yes, Celandine has tried her hand at most things, we did know she volunteered years ago, when Sivolain cities were the first to be besieged. She must have taken to the life well'

 

 

Elena explained that she would join, Cynara didn't want to sound too eager to let her go but told her Celandine looked after her 'girls'.

 

It was luckily a quiet night, Elena still slept fitfully but gathered her things together. In reality she was eager to meet Admetos and Faenus.

 

*

 

Celandine was sitting at a makeshift table and talking with two younger men when her recruiting colleagues alighted from a hansom cab.

 

'Well?'

 

She looked up and could see they were pleased.

 

'Ten , all said they would meet us tomorrow and another who said she will think about it, but we are confident she will join us'

 

Celandine looked up now and waved the two younger men away.

 

'Excellent. I think we will have enough, it will mean a party of thirty five, big enough to handle don't you think?'

 

The men agreed and Celandine stood up.

 

She was nearly si feet tall and still proud of her slender figure. She had taken a liking to the military life ever since she had joined to follow a man ( she vowed never to make that mistake again). She wore, as did most of the mercenaries now hired to fight, a mixture of clothing, most of it taken from the battlefield. She had high riding bots with slightly too big jodhpurs and a bright green jacket with faded epaulettes and gold braid.

 

'We have that number already out, we don't need any more' said Admetos, any larger could provoke rebellion or an independent spirit; none of them wanted that.

 

They walked to a nearby log cabin, it was stinking from smoke inside and from the paddle steamers ready to take their next load to the port of Salaic.

 

Celandine picked up an envelope, she had read it before, the seal was broken.

 

'I had this from the high command this morning, The Alliance are gaining ground all the time.. We must be ready soon , I think we could be at the last stages of this whole conflict'